Electric switch.



. citizen of the United States, residing at.

electric snapv sw tches primarily designed *man s Alanna ow J TERRILL, or Ari-Inns, rnmvsrtvanra.

ntnc'rmc swrrcn.

To all whom itmay concern Be it known that I, ALLEN A. TIRR'ILL, a

, and useful Improvements in Electric v Switches, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing. I v

This invention relates to improvements in for use in connectionwith lighting circuits,

though capable of use in otherconnections,

and has for its primary object improvements of that generaltype of switch set- I forth in my copending application, Serial views, C represents a porcelain or other No. 525,226, filed October-'28, 1909.

lhe present invention comprehends the provision at improved contacts, and mountings therefor, the latter eliminating to a substantial extent the danger of arcing between the relatively movable and stationary,

contact members, an improved arrangement of contacts and? circuits enabhng'tlie production-of what may be termeda two-air cuit-selective-ty-pe of switch; and improved details in the'construction and arrangements .of parts, all as will more fully'hereinafter appear,

Toenable' a complete understanding of the invention, 1 have illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming parthereof, a. two-circuit type of switch constituting aconvenient embodiment of the invention. The construction and operatmn of the same will be clear 'from an. inspection of said drawings in. connection with the detailed de: scription hereinafter contained.

It will also be: apparent to those skilled in the art that the improvements are capable of embodiment in types of switches; other than that illustrated hereinyfor instance, in. a single-pole,a double-pole, or a three-way switch.

Referring more specifically to the draw- .ings: Figure 1 isqa bottom view, of the switch with the cover or cap removed, F1g,j

2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view showing the soap. or cover in place, Fig. 3 is a side view, portions of, the cover being broken-away, Fig. 4 is an opposite side'view, the-coverbeing entirely removed, Fig. ,5 is a detail perspective view of one ,of the com-jv bined. binding posts and-contact devices re-, moved, Fig. 6 is a, perspective view of. the main supporting standard or bracket re- Specification of Letters Bate-n12. Pat-guitar} Ngv, 23, 1915, Applicatiohfiled June 24, 1910. SerialNo. 568,747.

moved, Fig.5 7 is a perspective view oi the rotatable operating member :or sheave re moved, Fig. 8' is a perspective view or the indicator removed, Fig. 9 is a "transverse section illustrating the manner of securing the indicator in place, Figs. 10 and 19 are sectional views through the movable contact member of the switch illustratin e p cially the insulating elements, and 12, 13 and .lare diagrammatic V35 dicati've of the various, positions at switch, and the corresponding condition at the circuits and lamps controlled thereby. Referring more specifically tothe drawings, wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several suitable base of insulatihgmaterial. cured by means of screws d to .the base C and suitably spaced apart are brackets D,

.D conveniently formed of sheet metal, ap-

The extreme end of said shaft is grooved, as

at e? for the reception ofasplitwasher F fastened in place thereof together (Fig l I r The switch-blades G are mounted intermediate ofthe. shoulder e and the washer between to enable the switch-blades to freely shift laterally (longitudinally of the shaft) subject-matter is broadly set forth inmy a substantial space being provided therepinching the ends said copending'applicationSerial Number v r 525,226, filed October 28,1909.

The switch blades are reams of two pieces of sheet spring metal each of which comprises ,a hub or central portion G and three arms 9 extending outwardly there:

from, which are off. set slightly from the. I plane of said central portion. In assembling, the switchblades,'theftwo pieces of sheet "spring metal are arrangedwith' the hubs or central portions G in juxtaposition so that the arms 9 projecting therefrom constitute three pairs of'spring contacts. The armsfg are slitted longitudinally, as. at-g', to give greater flexibility thereto and are connected at the ends toshoes'gf,"tl1eouter ends of which are, -flared outwardly toreadilypen i i angle or about 45 degrees to the periphery of the hub or central portion G", so that there is provided for each of said arms an inclined supporting portion. This arrangement allows the greatest possible amount of clearance between the central portions G of the bladeinembers and the stationary contacts when the blades are revolved, more especially when the contact portions of the blade leave the stationary contacts, thus preventing arcing. It will also be seen that inasmuch as each of the arms carrying the contact shoes is mounted on an inclined supporting portion, a broad, firm mounting is provided for the lower end of said man.

It is of course desirable that the swit ch blades be insulated from the shaft E and to that end the interior of the central or hub portions G of the sheet metal plates forming the blades are cut away, as at for the reception of the intermediate member of the insulation 9 which is provided with a central opening for the reception of the shaft 1. The insulation is preferably arranged in sheets, an intermediate sheet which fits the openings in the central portion of the blade members r and an outer sheet of a size to overlie the opposite faces of said intermediate sheet and the adjacent portions of the sheet metal members of the plate G. The outer sheets of the insulation are arranged between the outer surfaces of the sheet metal members of the blade G and approximately elliptical shaped plates H on the outside thereof, the parts being connect ed by means of rivets h which pass through the plates II and the interposed insulation.

The combined binding posts and stationary contacts I are three in number, corresponding to the arms of the switch blades or clips. each having a base i fastened at two points by screws '11 to the base C and having a binding screw adjoining a lug arranged adjacent to an aperture (1 in the base C for the passage of the wire terminal. The outer devices I, have upwardly extending arms J having inwardly projecting curved contact ends J shaped to correspond to an arc of the circle of rotation of the switch blades whereby to be received between the switch blades and contact therewith, as is obvious. The intermediate stationary contact I is of substantially the same general formation. the supporting arm J however. in this instance being relatively short and action of the switch will now be described.

Mounted loosely upon the shaft E is a sheave L carrying a bushing projecting axially therefrom and surrounding said shaft. The sheave L is formed of sheet metal plates Z brought together to form a rigid central portion or web Z, sleeved upon the shaft E, portions of the margins of the plates being curved outwardly to together form a cord or chain groove Z near one end of which the plates are perforated transy'ersely as at mand bent outwardly at its edges, as at m, to form a slot M for the introduction of an off set T-head n of a detachable connecting device N, carried at the end of a pull chain or cord L (Fig. 3) adapted to be suspended from the switch for operating the sheave and the switch blades through the medium of said sheave. The cord L may be of any well known type and such cord may, if desired, be connected to the sheave, in any suitable manner other than above described.

The standard I) formed of sheet metal, as illustrated, has an off set flange d at one side thereof projecting over the peripheral portion of the sheave (Fig. 3) and arranged in close proximity thereto to prevent the escape of the chain or cord from the sheave. Below this retaining flange and disposed at approximately right angles thereto, another flange (1 carrying a bushing or guiding eye tl serves as an additional retainer, and constantly maintains the cord or chain in operative position. The bushing (5" projects through an aperture in the switch cap or cover S. as shown, and a threaded flange 8,

also on the standard D, cooperating with a screw a passing through the cap, centers and secures the cap in. place. The cap a is conveniently provided with a lining of insulation.

To limit the rotation of the shea've L in both directions, a stop lug l (Figs. 3 and 7) is struck outwardly from the outermost plate forming the sheave, so that it projects into a curved slot Z of the standard I), said stop lug being arranged to abut the end walls of this slot at the termination of its movement in opposite directions incident to the rotation of the sheave. The sheave normally occupies the position shown in Fig. 3 with the stop lug Z in engagement with the rear end wall of the slot l in the standard I). this position being maintained by means of a spring R. one end of which is connected in anv suitable manner to the upright I) and the other end of which abuts an offset tail piece not a pawl l -which projects through an opening I in the sheave L said pawl being arranged on the opposite side of moi-sea f 3 the sheave and pivoted thereto as at u. The pawl U engages a ratchet disk V, which is loosely mounted on the shaft E and the function of the spring R is not only to hold the shaft in the position shown in Fig. 8, and to return the sameto such position when moved therefrom, as will hereinafter appear, but also incident to the engagement of the end ofsuch spring with the tail piece it of the pawl U, to normally hold said pawl in engagement with a tooth of the ratchet disk V. What I will term the motor spring, is shown at 0, one end of such spring being engaged with the ratchet disk V and the other end of such spring bearing against an off set lug p? of a detent carrier P fixedfto the shaft and normally held against rota tion under force of the motor spring be;

cause of the engagement of the detent .1:

carried by such detent carrier with one of the stop shoulders of a fixed disk Q which is rigidly secured in any suitable manner to the upright D. Normally the detent P is retained in engagement with the shoulder q nst referred to, by means of a cam plate Q,

having the slot through which a lug p offset from the detent P, projects, the cam plate being in turn held against excessive movement in either direction by means of shoulders (1 adapted to abutthe offset lug 72 of the detent carrier before referred to.

The operation of the mechanism thus far described may now be followed. 2

Assuming the parts to be in the position indicated in the several views of the drawings, a pull upon the cord or chain L will store up power in the motor spring 0 and by the cooperation of the several devices, permit said motor spring to exercise its energy and rotate the switch plate G with a quick snappy action, to engage or by progressive rotary movement, to alternately engage and disengage with the spring contact devices I. v More specifically, the pull upon 56? cord or chain L rotates the shaft in the direction of the arrow (Fig. 3) and the pawl U carried therewith engaging one of the teeth of the ratchet V rotates it in the same direction, the rotation of the sheave being of course against the tension 'of its restkring spring E. This rotation of the ratchet disk V winds up the motor spring O, one end of which spring is connected to the ratchet disk and the other end abutting the fixed lug p of the detent carrier P, which latter cannot move at this time by reason of the engagement of the detent P with the fixed stop disk at q. The cam plate Q being connected with the ratchet disk V, rotates therewith and by means of the cam way ,or groove, q thereof, engaging'with the offset lug p of the detent, 'P, gradually elevates the detent out of engagement with the shoulder g, the parts being so proportioned and timed in their operation that the motor spring 0 will have the desired power or energy started up therein at the time the detent leaves said shoulder.

Practically instantaneous upon the disen-q gagement of the detent Pfroni the shoulder g, the detent carrier P is released andunder the action of the motor spring 0 in'engagement with the offset p thereof, shifts said carrier around onefourth of a revolution, or until the lugp of the detent is guided by the cam way-r into engagement with the next adjacent stop shoulder g of the fixed plate Q. The detent carrier P being keyed to the shaft E, rotates said shaft therewith and shifts the switch blades G into or out of engagement'with the spring contact devices I asthe case may be., After the operation just, stated, and upon the release of the cord L, the sheave will be returned under the actionof its spring- R to its initial position.

The detent carrier is provided with oppositely arrangedears p formed with the,

carrier and ap'ertured and threaded as in dicated' at p to receive fastening screws passing through similar ears 6 projecting inwardly from an indicator drum T (Fig- 8) said drum being also formed of sheetting the same to encircle the mechanism while'oifering no obstruction to the working parts of the mechanism and requiring the provision of substantially no additional space to accommodate the same.

The successive rotations of the sheave, under corresponding-pulling act on by the user on the depending cord or chain, will rotate the switch-blades so that the three arms thereof, rigidly held in their right-angular relation, will progressively assume'the different positions, relative to the stationary contacts, illustrated diagrammatically in the last four figures of the drawings, and from an examination, of these diagrams, the twoeircuit-selective oharacterof the switch will be understood. ,Referring to the firstof these diagrams wherein the numerals '1 and 2- represent the lamps, each provided with its own circuit, it will be seen that the switch arms are arranged to bridgethetwogouter stationary contacts, the intefme ateiswiteh arm and the intermediate stationary: contact being disconnected so that neither lamp circnit1 is closed with the electrical supply or feet \i The second diagrammatic View illustrates the position of the switch after the first pull on the cord or chain. Here it will be seen that one of the outer stationary contacts is electrically'connected with the intermediate contact, while the opposite outer stationary contact and one arm of the switch are disconnected, whereby a closed circuit is formed through the lamp No. 1, as indicated by the arrows.

The third diagrammatic view illustrates the position of the switch after the second pull on the cord or chain, it being seen that in this instance all three of the switch arms are engaged with the corresponding three stationary contacts and both lamp circuits completed, including the lamps Nos. 1 and 2, as indicated by the arrows. Upon the third pull of the cord or chain, the switch is shifted to the position indicated in the fourth diagram wherein it will be seen that the intermediate stationary contact is electrically connected with the outer stationary contact opposite to that shown in the second diagram, whereby the circuit of lamp or lamps N o. 2 is closed, while the circuit of lamp N o. 1 is opened by the disengagement of the third arm of the switch and the opposite outer stationary contact.

A fourth pull on the cord restores the parts to the position shown in the first diagram with both circuits broken.

4 Conveniently the lamp No. l may'represent a single light, while the lamp No. 2

may represent several lights, for instance two, or the grouping may be otherwise, as desired.

From the foregoing, the advantages of my improved switch will probably be instantly appreciated. It will be observed that the device enables the choice of two circuits, thus constituting a two-circuit-selective type of switch, as I have previously stated which in many cases, will be found the full equivalent of many three-circuit switches wherein it is customary to have the respective circuits completed successively, one after the other, and finally all cut out simultaneously.

.In the present instance, it will be seen the first operation will, for example, light one lamp of a three-lamp electrolier, the second operation will light two additional lamps, making the three illuminations, the third operation will cut out the first lamp leaving two illuminations, and the fourth operation extinguishing the two lamps. It will thus 60,be seen that there is the choice of the lighting of one, two or three lamps by the simple manipulation of my improved switch in connection with but two circuits.

The porcelain base (1 may be provided with any number of grooves in its back in any desired arrangement, and with any necessary number of wire passages through the base, to enable the coupling up of the switch with the wiring; and the arrangement of the switch blades may be optional, either at one or both ends of the operating shaft, and in any desired operative relation, to rovide any particular type of switch, in eeping with the service to which the same is to be put.

While I have herein disclosed one practical embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that many changes and alterations in the details and arrangements may be made without in the least departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim -1-. In a switch of the character described, operatin mechanism including a rotatable part and an indicating drum carried there-' by, said drum having differentiated indicators on its periphery, said drum being formed of sheet metal and having a wide peripheral portion and a reinforcing side flange.

In a switch of the character described,

' operating mechanism including a rotatable part and an indicating drum carried thereby, said drum having differentiated indicators on its periphery, said drum being formed of sheet metal and having a wide pe;

ripheral portion and a wide reinforcing. flange, in combination with means engaging said flange and the movable part which carries the drum to detachably secure the latter in place.

3. A switch of the character described comprising a supporting standard, operating mechanism associated with said standard including a rotatable part and provided with an offset lug limiting the movement of said part inopposite directions, the standard being rovided with a curved slot, the ends of which are adapted to cooperate with said lug, substantially as described.

1. A switch of the character described comprising a sheet metal supporting standard, switch operating mechanism associated therewith including a rotatable sheave, and a cord or chain attpch'ed thereto peripherally engaging the sheave to operate the same, the standard being provided with a laterally bent flange adjacent to the periphery of the sheave to, prevent escape of the cord or chain, substantially as described.

5. A switch of the character described comprising a sheet metal supporting standard, switch operating mechanism associated therewith including a rotatable sheave and a cord or chain attached thereto iwripherally engaging the saeave to operate the same, the standard being provided with a laterally bent flange at its side adjacent to the periphery of the sheave to prevent escape of the standard beingv provided with a flange at its side adjacent to the periphery of the sheave v to prevent escape of the cordor chain, and another flange on the standard below the side flange apertured to constitute another guide for thecord or chain.

7. A switch of the character described comprising a supporting standard, switch operating mechanism associated therewith including a rotatable sheave, and a cord or chain attached thereto peripherally engaging the sheave to operate the same, the standard being provided with a flange at its side adjacent to the periphery of the sheave to prevent escape of the cord or chain, and another flange on the standard below the side flange apertured to constitute another guide for thee-0rd or chain, the last mentioned guide having a projecting eye, and a cover for the switch mechanism apertured for the reception of said eye. A

8. A switch of the character described comprising a standard, operating mechanism associated therewith, a cord or chain for actuating said mechanism, andva cover for inclosing the mechanism, the standard being provided With flanges projecting in opposite directions from the opposite edges of the standard, one provided with an eye projecting through an aperture in the cover to constitute a guide for the operating cord or chain, and the other apertured for engagement by a fastening device passed through the cover, substantially as and for the purpose described.

9. An electrical switch comprising a shaft, and a switch member mounted thereon having a hub portion that is elongated trans- .versely of the shaft and a flexible contact arm extending transversely to the major axis of the hub portion.

10. An electrical switch comprising. a shaft having a flattened portion, and a switch member mounted thereon having a hub portion that surrounds the flattened portion of the shaft and is elongated trans versely of the shaft and a flexible contact arm extending transversely to the major axes of the hub portion and-the flattened portion ofthe shaft.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALLEN A. TIRRILL. Witnesses E. W. VAUGHN, H. E. GRAIN. 

